This is a re-print of a well-circulated email I received. I do not know the author, but am very impressed with the logic offered, perhaps you will be also…?
By Jason Carlson and Ron Carlson
Is the Bible the Inspired Word of God?
During a question and answer session at a recent speaking engagement, a university student asked me, “Why do you believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God?” Now this is a very interesting question; and probably one of the most important questions any Christian could ask themselves. What is so special, so unique about the Bible that Christians believe it is literally the inspired word of God?
In answering this student’s question, I encouraged him to consider the following facts about the Bible:
First, the Bible is not just one single book. This is a more common misconception than many people realize, especially with people who do not come from a Judeo-Christian background. Rather than being a single book, the Bible is actually a collection of 66 books, which is called the canon of scriptures. These 66 books contain a variety of genres: history, poetry, prophecy, wisdom literature, letters, and apocalyptic just to name a few.
Second, these 66 books were written by 40 different authors. These authors came from a variety of backgrounds: shepherds, fishermen, doctors, kings, prophets, and others. And most of these authors never knew one another personally.
Third, these 66 books were written over a period of 1500 years. Yet again, this is another reminder that many of these authors never knew or collaborated with one another in writing these books.
Fourth, the 66 books of the Bible were written in 3 different languages. In the Bible we have books that were written in the ancient languages of Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic; a reflection of the historical and cultural circumstances in which each of these books were written.
And finally, these 66 books were written on 3 different continents: Africa, Asia, and Europe. Once again, this is a testament to the varied historical and cultural circumstances of God’s people.
Think about the above realities: 66 books, written by 40 different authors, over 1500 years, in 3 different languages, on 3 different continents. What’s more, this collection of books shares a common storyline- the creation, fall, and redemption of God’s people; a common theme- God’s universal love for all of humanity; and a common message- salvation is available to all who repent of their sins and commit to following God with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength. In addition to sharing these commonalities, these 66 books contain no historical errors or contradictions. God’s word truly is an amazing collection of writings!
After I had shared the above facts with this student, I offered him the following challenge: I said to him, “If you do not believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, if you do not believe that the Bible is of a supernatural origin, than I challenge you to a test.” I said to the student, “I challenge you to go to any library in the world, you can choose any library you like, and find 66 books which match the characteristics of the 66 books in the Bible. You must choose 66 books, written by 40 different authors, over 1500 years, in 3 different languages, written on 3 different continents. However, they must share a common storyline, a common theme, and a common message, with no historical errors or contradictions.” I went on to say, “If you can produce such a collection of books, I will admit that the Bible is not the inspired word of God.” The student’s reply was almost instantaneous, he emphatically stated, “But that’s impossible!”
“But that’s impossible!” It truly is impossible, for any collection of human writings. However, the Bible passes this test. The Bible contains 66 books, written by 40 different authors, over 1500 years, in 3 different languages, on 3 different continents, with no historical errors or contradictions. The entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, bears the mark of Divine inspiration.
The next time you encounter someone who asks you why you believe the Bible is the inspired word of God, try sharing this challenge with them. Better yet, don’t wait until you’re asked, just go ahead and share this challenge with a friend today. You don’t even have to mention the Bible up front, just ask them if they think it would be realistic to assemble such a collection of books. After they say, “But that’s impossible!” you’ve got a ready-made opportunity for sharing the truth of God’s word with somebody!
Supplemental: What did Isaac Newton have to say about the Bible? Click on this link: Isaac Newton on the Bible.
Einstein once said: “imagination is the highest form of research”. His words seem to fit many scientists and educators today. Many human traits are laudable, however true imagination is rare!In fact despite years of worldly education and training, most present day scientists and teachers are implicitly missing genuine imagination, imagination such as Einstein himself demonstrated.
Case in point: advanced beings of high intelligence in the universe have often been imagined, yet the concept of a ‘Creator’ of all things is commonly dismissed! I’m suggesting the reason is because of a self-imposed limit on ‘genuine’ imagination, a blind spot when it comes to imagining an all-powerful God, a Creator of all things!
Yes a general human inability to embrace the concept of a living being with such vast unlimited power and intelligence, Creator of the entire universe and all life in it, as so clearly set out in inspired scriptures!
When astronauts walked on the moon, they were struck not only with the beauty of earth, but the very profound feeling they were witnessing the work of a timeless, all-powerful Creator.But if it is within our ability to grasp, or imagine such a Father of all life, how hard is it to visualize that he would ever allow imperfect humans to destroy this jewel of his creation!? No indeed, genuine imagination, and logical well-founded faith based on the ‘book of nature’ alone, provides real hope for relief from our rapidly declining world system of things; economic, political, and religious.In fact such relief is actually ‘inevitable’, why? Because a Creator of all life cares for his works of creation, as indeed we humans care for our very best works. Our Creator will not see either the earth or mankind completely destroyed; ‘that’ my friends is truly… unimaginable!!
Copyright; Gavin Hurlimann (slightly edited) Note: this article supplements my own ‘Evolution Critique’ posting.
The disciplines of science have already proven that the Christian God of the Bible exists because the solid, rigid, fixed & unbreakable laws of physics.
To avoid fish hooks, confusion & for the ease of the reader; let’s be VERY EXACT with our terms & definitions.
The Laws of Thermodynamics are concerned with heat, mechanical energy, and the conversion between the two. All physical, biological, & chemical processes known to man are subject to these laws. Science often speaks of four (4) laws of thermodynamics, but only two (2) have any meaningful connection to Christianity.
They are the first (1st) & second (2nd) laws of thermodynamics.
It’s important to note that these “Laws” are not a hypothesis. They are fixed, rigid, consistent & unbreakable by anything/anyone in the natural world.
1) The first (1st) law of thermodynamics – also known as the conservation of energy – states; “Nothing is presently coming into existence or going out of existence: matter & energy may be converted into one another, but there’s no net increase in the combined total of what exists”.
In other words, even if matter is converted to energy and vice versa, there will never be an “increase or decrease” in the total amount.
Therefore, if the matter and energy are neither created nor destroyed, then where did all the matter and energy in the universe come from?
Either;
a) the universe somehow came into existence without God, even though science has proved that it is impossible for something to arise out of nothing,
b) everything always existed in the universe, an idea that science has also proved impossible, or
c) God created it. This “is” most reasonable, plausible & rational explanation in light of this scientific Law & the following Laws & evidence.
1st Conclusion:
Science openly acknowledges that according to the first (1st) Law of Thermodynamics, there is no scientific explanation for the origins of the universe & life – apart from an Act of God.
2) The second (2nd) law of thermodynamics states that the entropy (breakdown or disorder) of a closed system cannot decrease, it only gets worse;
Every system, left to its own devices, always tends to move from order to diso, it’s energy tends to be transformed into lower levels of availability (for work), ultimately becoming totally random & unavailable for work”.
Scientist & author Isaac Asimov explains; “The universe is constantly getting more disorderly. . . . .all we have to do is “nothing” & everything deteriorates, collapses, breaks down, wears out, by itself – and that is what the second law of thermodynamics is all about.”
Two simple examples of entropy;
1) The exterior paint on an un-maintained house with eventually peel & fall off.
2) All human beings break down & die. The current death rate from old age is 100%.
In other words, left to itself & over time, everything tends toward disorder, randomness, and disorganization – unless there is intervention by an intelligent utility.
Naturalistic evolution “demands” that every physical system, from the atomic level on up, is the result of a spontaneous and increasingly complex and well-ordered process of assembly. Darwin suggested that living organisms, for instance, came about via a long string of infinitely complex, yet “random” evolutionary processes.
If planet Earth was an entirely closed system, such progression would be in complete violation of the second (2nd) law of thermodynamics. It’s important to note, however, that our planet is “NOT a closed system” in terms of thermodynamics, mostly because planet Earth is receiving energy from the sun.
However, the hypothesis of evolution runs contrary to the second (2nd) law of thermodynamics is on a general, large-scale view.
Entropy observed.
The trend, according to these unbreakable scientific laws, is that entropy (breakdown or disorder) is increasing, and thus natural processes must also be breaking down – not building up or “evolving” into something more complicated as postulated by the hypothesis of evolution..
Simple observation empirically confirms the truth of the second (2nd) law of thermodynamics. Paint on a house chips and peels. Dust builds up. The house itself falls into disrepair if preventative steps are not taken. Living things die & rot & finally decompose. We can observe the results of the second (2nd) law of thermodynamics every day.
The hypothesis of evolution however, requires much more than just a simple change in entropy (breakdown or disorder). For evolution to be valid, the theory requiresmore than water freezing or the formation of salt crystals or dust collecting into a solar system. To evolve from non-life, matter on Earth would have to constantly, consistently, and directly move “AGAINST” the force of entropy (breakdown or disorder). However, this is “scientifically impossible”.
DNA is “NOT” a result of naturalistic evolution as the science of DNA has proven.
Evolutionists claim that life evolved in very small, simple mutational steps over billions of years in an open system like Earth.
But mutations “ARE” entropy (breakdown or disorder) and mutations occurring in a constant, beneficial manner “ARE” a violation of the unbreakable, scientific, second (2nd) Law of Thermodynamics.
2nd Conclusion:
The first (1st) & second (2nd) scientific laws of thermodynamics are fixed, rigid, consistent & unbreakable. Nothing in our natural world – including the hypothesis of evolution – can violate them.Except according to science, an Act of God.
3) Since 2013 NASA & SETI astrobiologists have acknowledged that all DNA originates from an intelligence outside of the observation of our current utilities.
So in light of this, a belief in the God of Creation is “not unwarranted” – or at least, not dismissed without rational consideration.
To illustrate further, all plant, animal & human DNA requires three (3) critical components;
a) information
b) communication
c) language.
Genuine science views DNA as a marker of intelligence NOT evidence of biochemical evolutionary processes. In simple terms; DNA cannot be “made” by biological evolution.
So, the science of DNA “rules out” all plant, animal & human life observed yesterday & today as the current end game of the hypothesis of evolution.
Why is this not common knowledge?
Andrew Kibler provides an responsible explanation in his post of Dec 4 2018;
“Science can take a good 5 to 10 years before it even begins to become mainstream. That’s on a good note though. People’s beliefs, worldviews and careers are on the line with some scientific discoveries, so it could take even longer. When it was discovered that light had “travel time” it wasn’t instantaneouslyaaccepted. It took 50 years to become mainstream after some hard battles”.
So, using the Laws of Logic;
d) DNA exists in all plant, animal & human life.
e) DNA is not the product of naturalistic evolution.
f) DNA is a marker of intelligence.
g) Logically, DNA is the product of something outside of the utilities of science.
h) The certaincy of scientific law leaves us mere humans with a couple of alternatives. In Western civilization the intellegence that creates intricate individual DNA is commonly referred to as the God of the Bible
i) Or aliens, if God is too hard a pill to swallow.
J) Panspermia& Directed Panspermia – a possible scientific alternative to God “or” evolution, involving aliens has zero evidence & the hypothesis remains on the fringes of credibility.
k) Finally, modern physics has demonstrated that consciousness mind does exist independent of matter. Mind & matter can & do interact.
l)This is a game-changer for the scientism, atheistic obsessed, as there is now no scientific basis for denying God’s existence.
3rd & Final Conclusion:
According to the scientific first (1st) & second (2nd) Laws of Thermodynamics it is impossible for the hypothesis of evolution to occur.
According to the science of DNA, it is impossible for DNA to be created by an evolutionary naturalistic process.
Which leaves: Evidence + Belief + Faith = God.
And because God exists, it follows that He created everything, including us.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
A group of scientists are close to recognizing that there “might” be a God. They are astrobiologists.
S.E.T.I. stands for “Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence” and comprises several groups of scientists that were combining their expertise to try to discover if there is intelligent life anywhere out in the universe. [1]
In order to decide how they would recognize intelligent life, they had to determine some basic criteria that they could apply to observed phenomena that would characterize only intelligent origins. For example, if they saw certain patterns like Morse Code in a radio transmission, infra-red radiation, or gamma ray bursts, they would be certain that it had originated only at an intelligent source.
Since the early 1980s they have never detected any intelligent life anywhere else in the universe.
Recently however a couple of these scientists, Vladimir I. Cherbak and Maxim A. Makukovb, had the bright idea to apply the criteria they had created for SETI to the results of the DNA studies that have emerged. The conclusion was exactly one word, “Wow!”. [2]
They found that DNA shows patterns that could only have been created by intelligence. The odds of an error were less than 1 in 10 (exp) 13. (1 in 10 trillion). Their conclusion is that DNA is not random, but is the definite result of an “intelligence”.
The astrobiologists published their conclusions in a peer-reviewed journal in their field named Icarus. [3]. Peer-reviewed means that other experts in the same field have poured over their work and conclusions and have given it their consensus.
Click on the link below in [3] if you want to see some of the article and the charts of DNA that show the clear proof of intelligent design.
It’s likely you haven’t heard about this if you aren’t in the field. But it must be causing head scratching through a lot of research institutes and concern among evolutionists. It takes courage for these scientists to come forth and go against the entrenched dogma of evolutionists and the backlash that will surely come. But the truth will win out because it can’t be suppressed indefinitely.
“The search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) is the collective name for a number of activities people undertake to search for intelligent extraterrestrial life. SETI projects use scientific methods in this search. For example, electromagnetic radiation is monitored for signs of transmissions from civilizations on other worlds. Some of the most well known projects are run by Harvard University, the University of California, Berkeley and the SETI Institute.”
[2] The “Wow! signal” of the terrestrial genetic code. Vladimir I. shCherbak, Maxim A. Makukovb
Excerpt from the Abstract: “Here we show that the terrestrial code displays a thorough precision-type orderliness matching the criteria to be considered an informational signal. Simple arrangements of the code reveal an ensemble of arithmetical and ideographical patterns of the same symbolic language. Accurate and systematic, these underlying patterns appear as a product of precision logic and nontrivial computing rather than of stochastic processes (the null hypothesis that they are due to chance coupled with presumable evolutionary pathways is rejected with P-value < 10 (exp) –13). The patterns display readily recognizable hallmarks of artificiality, among which are the symbol of zero, the privileged decimal syntax and semantical symmetries. Besides, extraction of the signal involves logically straightforward but abstract operations, making the patterns essentially irreducible to natural origin.”
“Icarus is a premier scientific journal dedicated to the field of planetary science. It is published under the auspices of the American Astronomical Society’s Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS). The journal contains articles discussing the results of new research on astronomy, geology, meteorology, physics, chemistry, biology, and other scientific aspects of the Solar System or extrasolar systems.
Source: Vladimir I. shCherbak & Maxim A. Makukovb: Icarus Journal May 2013.
Resources: The Wedge of Truth: Splitting the Foundations of Naturalism: Philip Johnson. Publisher, Intervarsity Press. Downers Grove, Illinois USA.
Ultimate Proof: Resolving the Origins Debate by Dr Jason Lisle. Publisher: New Leaf Publishing Group, Inc.
Heisenberg Uncertainty (indeterminacy) Principle: Dr Mario Beauregard, Dr Henry Stapp, Dr Richard Conn Henry, J.P. Moreland.
Psychology and Religion by Carl G Jung. Publisher: Yale University Press.
New Bible Commentary 21st Century Edition. Intervarsity Press. Leicester England.
Vladimir I. shCherback and Maxim A. Makukorb, Icarus Journal May 2013.
Is God a Delusion: Dr John Lennox 14 March 2015. YouTube.
The Mind and the Brain: Dr Jeffery M. Schwartz. Publisher Haper Collins.
Isn’t it exciting to hear there may be earth-like planets, namely those that orbit suns similar to our own, perhaps even in abundance ‘out there’ in the universe?! Yes, but let’s take a step back and analyze ‘why’ its exciting for a moment.
Could it be that our human emotions are based on hope? What I mean is this; based on human history, (I refer to written history and not speculative pre-history), there have been many technological accomplishments, however, sociologically not so much, or to put it simply, human relations have, for the most part, been an abysmal failure.
Arguably, history has recorded that modern man is pretty much a failure in human relations. For instance when has there ever been an extended period in at least 2000 years that hasn’t included wars, genocides, oppression, atrocities, ad infinitum!
In my humble opinion failures throughout history have engendered a present day ‘faint hope’ that somewhere, somehow, mankind will find relief, or to put it another way, ‘salvation’, from his earthly experience. (I would also submit this is the very basis of the ‘theory’ of evolution.) In other words an attempt to absolve humanity from our blood stained past, and even more so, its present!
Its no secret that the dramatic increase in world population has brought about the prospect of mass-extinction, despite enormous potential for increase… why? In a nutshell; the answer is clearly human mismanagement, be it environmentally, politically, or economically!
But I digress; returning to the aforementioned planetary discoveries; what is it that really excites us about them? Isn’t it all about finding relief from our human failures? The vain hope that if there is life on other planets it may somehow point the way to discover or make human life somehow successful, an existence that has eluded us on earth?
For example, remember the classic Sci-Fi movie “The Day The Earth Stood Still”? An alien galactic envoy arrives to warn that robots were authorized to arbitrarily enforce galactic peace. They were said to be programmed to obliterate any planet who threatened a galactic peace protocol by the misuse of atomic power! (A very human approach no doubt!)
In conclusion, I submit that mankind as a whole is missing the ‘woods for the trees’. What I mean by that is the greatest human to ever live provided us with the way out of our failed human condition, the way to achieve what many are now seeking in the stars.
He told us what to seek, how and where to find it, and the result would be nothing less than everlasting life on a paradise earth! Therefore shouldn’t that be our primary focus? Because whether we seek it or not, earth is scheduled for exactly that ideal future by its eternal Creator! Indeed, have faith: it really will happen, with, or without, our personal benefit, and right here on planet earth!
Is it possible for our puny human brain to actually be in touch with the Creator of all things? Arguably its a question philosophers and thoughtful people have struggled with since the beginning of written history.
For instance speaking of human history, year after year archeological discoveries confirm entire ancient civilizations now being uncovered in South America were ‘primarily’ based on worship of an all powerful god in one form or another.
In truth its simply no exaggeration to say there is an innate desire in all humanity to communicate with a supreme Creator! And with limited knowledge, many societies have conferred this desire on objects of wood or stone, in the vain hope they would be heard and benefit therefrom. Is so-called ‘modern man’ really so different? Or is technology filling that very same role today? Its a fair question considering how much focus of attention is given to it in all its material forms, from smart phones to orbiting satellites.
Of course it is obvious to thinking people a far, far, superior entity exits some refer to as the ‘first cause’ of all life on earth. Ever more true science clearly points to a Creator of life on earth in all its genetic forms. Generations of observant mankind see abundant visible evidence of this.* However this is also backed up by inspired prophetic scriptures with positive reinforcement of that evidence, in spades!
Can it truly be said there is solid evidence to base hope and belief on other than lifeless wood or stone, effigies, technology and icon’s, or even paintings, etc, but rather on an invisible all-wise and loving spiritual God?
Albert Einstein epithet; “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” [Science, Philosophy and Religion]
In fact scientific confirmation is being added every day, consider this….and keep in mind this was written thousands of years before DNA confirmed this… “Your eyes even saw me as an embryo; All its parts were written in your book Regarding the days when they were formed, Before any of them existed.” (Psalm 139:16 NWT Bible) Hebrew scripture written by King David;
Another example; “He (God) stretches out the northern sky over empty space, Suspending the earth upon nothing” (Job26:7 NWT Bible)Again, recorded scripture written thousands of years before space travel confirmed this fact, during a time when most of mankind believed the earth stood on on the back of a turtle or an elephant or had some other ignorant idea!
These are just a couple of examples of the accuracy and authenticity of inspired scriptures, i.e. Holy Scripture. As if simple observation of all life and beginning to be understood ecological systems on planet earth were not enough in and of themselves!
What is more, he has promised to restore this sadly damaged planet to its optimal condition, including all mankind…. “….he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also he says: “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”(Revelation21:3-5)
“He is the Maker of the earth by his power, The One who established the productive land by his wisdom And who stretched out the heavens by his understanding.” (Jeremiah51:15)
True; humility is needed in order to acknowledge plain observable truth that we are the product of an invisible, spiritual, benevolent all-mighty-Creator, well represented by his son. Please visit JW.org for much more news and information plus a free study of the Bible, you’ll never regret it!
I’ve touched on this subject before but am compelled to add to it because of ongoing observations. As a senior citizen, I feel very blessed to have been able to observe ‘some’ of nature throughout many years now, without being a back-woods hermit or luddite*.
Though I cannot claim to have been on African Safari’s, or an explorer in deep sea quests, yet from my viewpoint and experience it is utterly obvious that we have only begun to appreciate the complexity and diversity of life on planet earth.
That complexity and diversity of life on earth speaks volumes to me. It says that there is a power and intelligence far beyond human capability, yet still within our capacity to appreciate… if we are humble enough.
Humility is sadly lacking in most of humankind. Philosophers throughout the ages prefer to theorize, even that somehow we may only exist in a dream world. Descortes famously said ‘I think therefore I am!” A complex belief that internal thought and doubt are the only things we can trust. Even today’s science suggests by sheer accidental means we have developed into the ultimate life-form on earth. Even worse, that we are capable of managing our own affairs, and even all other life-forms of the earth wisely. Clearly real facts have proven otherwise!
These assumptions, supported by never-ending, conflicting and unsupported fanciful theories, strikes me as the greatest weakness of our kind, otherwise known as absolute arrogance!
Countless generations of mankind. even those of first nations peoples, has proven beyond a doubt we desperately need superior guidance to manage our affairs and care for all life on earth, including the environment. This may well be the simple, primary purpose of human life.
Its becoming more obvious to thinking people every day; this unique and beautiful planet was never intended to be managed in isolation from its designer and builder. Isn’t it about time we humbly and respectfully acknowledge that basic truth?**
*luditte: a person opposed to new technology or ways of working.
** He is “the Creator of the heavens, . . . the Former of the earth and the Maker of it.” (Isa 45:18) He is “the Former of the mountains and the Creator of the wind” (Am 4:13) and is “the One who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them.”
Through a variety of tests on Earth and throughout the universe, physicists have measured no changes in time or space for any of the fundamental constants of nature.
There are 28 numbers that completely determine all the physics of the known universe. In many experiments, nobody has ever observed any variation in the fundamental constants. While physicists continue to search for a new theory to replace the incompatible Standard Model and general relativity, it appears that the constants we know and love are here to stay.
Please Note; the following excerpts arecredited to a post by Ryan F. Mandelbaum, (and someadded comments from this blogger)
Mr Mandelbaum is a science communicator specializing in quantum computing and birds:
There is a realm the laws of physics forbid us from accessing, below the resolving power of our most powerful microscopes and beyond the reach of our most sensitive telescopes. There’s no telling what might exist there.
Since the beginning of human inquiry, there have been limits to our observing abilities. Quantum mechanics and the Standard Model of Particle Physics have worked wonders at clarifying what goes on inside of atoms. However, with each of these successful theories comes hard-and-fast limits to our observing abilities. Today, these limits seem to define true boundaries to our knowledge.
On the large end, there is a speed limit that caps what we can see. It hampers any hope for us to observe most of our universe first-hand. The speed of light is more than just a speed limit. So we must contend with several horizons beyond which we can’t interact.
Another boundary lives on the other end of the scale called the ‘Planck scale’, the smallest meaningful numbers that quantum mechanics allows us to define. Zoom in between molecules, into the center of atoms, deep into their nuclei and into the quarks that make up their protons and neutrons. It’s a built-in limit to our understanding of the universe.
These fundamental limits, large and small, present clear barriers to our knowledge.
Our theories tell us that we will never directly observe what lies beyond these cosmic horizons or what structures exist smaller than the Planck scale. However, the answers to some of the grandest questions we ask ourselves might exist beyond those very walls. Why and how did the universe begin? What lies beyond our universe? Why do things look and act the way that they do? Why do things exist? Exploring the unanswerable belongs to philosophy or religion.
Walls that stop us from easily answering our deepest questions about the universe… well, they don’t feel very nice to think about. But offering some comfort is the fact that 93 billion light-years is very big, and 10^-35 meters is very small. Between the largest and the smallest is a staggering space full of things we don’t but ‘theoretically can know’.
Through a variety of tests on Earth and throughout the universe, physicists have measured no changes in time or space for any of the fundamental constants of nature.
There are 28 numbers that completely determine all the physics of the known universe. In many experiments, nobody has ever observed any variation in the fundamental constants. While physicists continue to search for a new theory to replace the incompatible Standard Model and general relativity, it appears that the constants we know and love are here to stay.
Indeed, some things may always be beyond human knowledge. For example the Bible teaches:
“By faith we perceive that the systems of things were put in order by God’s word, so that what is seen has come into existence from things that are not visible.” (Hebrews 11:3), also that God exists “from everlasting to everlasting.” (Psalm 90:2) In other words, God had no beginning and will have no end. From a human point of view, “the number of his years is beyond (human) comprehension.” (Job 36:26) and finally “…we will never find out the work that the true God has made from start to finish.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
“As a (serious) Evolutionist, is there a piece of evidence you’ve seen that points to inteligent design?”
The following answer to that question was made by James Elmore B.S., M.D. Medicine & Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Graduated 1998. If you, as me, do not fully understand his detailed answer, at least take note of his final comments!
(NOTE: (UNABLE TO POST A GENOME PICTURE HERE FROM ORIGINAL COMMENT)
This may look like gibberish at first, but trust me it’s anything but.
The top row is the partial DNA sequence of the INK4a gene that codes for an important regulatory protein. The second row is its partial amino acid sequence.
What’s amazing here though is the third row. It shows how the same exact DNA sequence used to code INK4a is also used to code the amino acid sequence of a completely unique protein (ARF) with a different regulatory function. So the ARF gene is literally a gene within a gene. Just by starting on a different nucleotide which causes a completely different reading frame.
The Regulation of INK4/ARF in Cancer and Aging
Note that these 2 proteins aren’t just different forms of the same protein—they are entirely unique. There is NO shared amino acid homology.
While no analogy is perfect here, what you are looking at would be akin to writing 2 unique sentences with entirely different meanings just by starting on a different letter!
And it’s now estimated that up to 10% of our genomes include overlapping genes. The number is growing.
“Overlapping genes have generally been thought to be relatively rare in the human genome, but the results of the present study show that they are more abundant than was previously thought. Interestingly, overlapping genes do not appear to be the result of evolutionary pressure to minimize the size of the human genome.”
Overlapping of Genes in the Human Genome
Sure, this can be and is explained away using the common descent paradigm. But it really does and should test the limits of credulity. Here’s why:
The total number of possible protein sequences is ~infinite. Even for an average protein 200 amino acids long there are more possible sequences than there are protons in the known Universe. But only a minuscule fraction are biologically useful. If you do the math it turns out you’d have to search through 10^74 chains of that length to find a single one that folds into a stable structure and performs any function.
And this particular gene has 2 of them coded by the exact same DNA!
Genomes and the Protein Universe
The Mathematics of Origin
There’s more reasons to be incredulous though. Overlapping genes make proteins with entirely different and unrelated functions. Because they are unique they may not be selected for (or against) by the same environmental pressures. So if a mutation changes one for the good it is very likely to degrade the function of the other. So either these genes are not influenced by selective pressure (but we think they should be) or must have arisen together. Meaning they must have been created simultaneously after a duplication and subsequent mutation-divergence events. But as it turns out their occurrence is often uniquely species specific and independent of phylogeny. Either way it’s hard to make sense of this from an evolutionary perspective.
Overlapping genes of Aedes aegypti: evolutionary implications from comparison with orthologs of Anopheles gambiae and other insects
Some of these important and statistcally improbable biologically useful proteins form when the DNA is read left to right AND different but useful proteins when read right to left.
It would be like buying a book which when read front to back chronicles the adventures of Harry Potter but if read back to front, tells you how to be happier, sell more, start a business, or find the man/woman of your dreams.
And many of the larger proteins with multiple domains are folded into specific configurations by other proteins called chaperone proteins.
If a string of amino acid isn’t correct the chaperonin chews it up and recycles the amino acids.
So…in order to get a new protein with a new function you’d have to also have simultaneous and cooperative mutations in the gene that codes for that particular chaperone.
But proteins don’t really work like that. They aren’t sculptures that can be sculpted little by little. If mutations change the amino acid sequence too much you get sudden and drastic changes in protein configuration. In fact, a single nucleotide insertion will cause the protein to form a completely different shape and render it unable to perform its original function. At all.
Indeed, at one time it was believed that the redundancy in the genetic code was a sloppy by-product of evolution. Now, though, we realize that there are multiple codons for each amino acid specifically so that genes can be read, spliced, and translated in multiple different ways to achieve jaw-dropping regulatory networks.
These regulatory networks appear exquisitely designed. This diagram compares that of a bacteria e. coli (left) to the “call graph” of the modern Linux OS (right). Linux, of course, is one of the most popular operating systems for mobile devices, web servers, and film production. Disney uses it. And without getting into details here, the bacteria makes Linux look pretty bad.
From: Comparing genomes to computer operating systems in terms of the topology and evolution of their regulatory control networks.
Concluding comments:
‘If you believe what we are finding these days is explicable from purely natural random and selected processes you have more faith than I do. For these and many other reasons.’ “I’ve jumped ship and have come to believe this has to be Designed!”
Welcome to all those who may have begun to appreciate Romans 1:20…..
“For his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they (those who see them) are inexcusable.”
Quotation: “The first gulp from the glass of natural sciences will make you an evolutionist, but at the bottom of the glass God is waiting for you.” (Werner Heisenberg, father of Quantum Mechanics.)
Einstein is famously quoted as saying ‘imagination is greater than intelligence!’ So what really is ‘imagination’ we may ask? A good definition is: ‘the faculty of forming new ideas, images or concepts not present to the senses’. Space-time was ‘imagined’ by Einstein in ways most of us may not. However should the concept of imagination be considered?
For example, how difficult is it to imagine life on earth is the creation of a vastly superior, although unseen, entity?
(Romans 1:20) puts it this way: “…his invisible qualities are clearly seen’ from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable.”
The context shows that those unable or unwilling to recognize by simple observation a Creator of all things are truly ‘inexcusable’, in other words lacking imagination!
Science is defined as ‘truth’, so what does factual science teach us? Indeed real science confirms that all life on earth is unique. That’s not speculation, or theory!
Clearly anyone failing to acknowledge all life on earth, and the earth itself, as a very special creation, must be described as ‘inexcusable’. Especially so as more and more universal discoveries of stars and galaxies via new space telescopes are now being made every day!
However there are, sad to say, those who will stubbornly deny that human, plant, and animal observation is, of itself, sufficient evidence of creation In reality imagination is lacking in such ones. Ironically those self same persons will describe themselves as informed or enlightened, they are failing to acknowledge the obvious wisdom, and creative power in plain view.
Make no mistake, God himself describes such ones as ‘inexcusable’, because of willful blindness to acknowledge observable truth. Indeed all life has a message for us, from flora and fauna, birds to whales, ants to elephants, and earth’s amazing environmental cycles, to name just a few things;; all teach us about the love and wisdom of a far, far, superior intelligence and unfathomable power of our creator; if we simply exercise humble imagination!
This is about life, not war, not disease, just plain life, not only human life but observed nature.
It’s important to acknowledge the adaptability of literally ‘all’ life on earth. Yes I do mean adaptability, not evolution, which is a totally ‘unnatural’ concept.
Adaptability is, rather, a well proven and observable characteristic of perhaps all living things, including plants and animals. Yes, ability to adapt to changing, even very challenging environmental conditions, good or bad, is not exclusive to humans.
The simple basic truth is; our earth is the only place in the physical universe known to support life, period. What adaptability implies is that life on earth is well designed, exclusively designed for earth’s environs! Nowhere else in the cosmos, has it been shown that humans, animals, or any life on earth could adapt and survive in very difficult conditions, as often happens on our planet!
That said, exceptional ability to adapt to change has nearly reached a tipping point owing to long-term damage done to earth’s environment. In other words there are now foreseeable ‘red lines’ as to how much further life on earth can adapt to centuries of negative impacts on the environment! Concerns about potential ‘extinction events’ are already becoming a mute point!
Living on the moon or mars is now well known to be a completely foreign concept, very far from practical reality for any of earth’s (adaptable) life forms. Knowledge gained about those environments is more and more evidence that all life as we know it is designed exclusively for earth alone! The well known expression ‘mother earth’ is therefore not without substance.
Isn’t it time to humbly acknowledge this basic truth?
Such honest acknowledgment is an essential ‘beginning’ to appreciate an all wise and loving Creator who has generously granted all life on earth even with great ability to live and adapt to change… within limits!
